The Souris Valley Theatre experienced a decrease in attendance for its main stage productions at Frehlick Hall this year, but business manager Lyn Vilcu is still pleased with the turnout for the two shows.
The first show, Fitz Happens, ran in late June, while the second show, Dogbarked, was in the final days of July. Fitz Happens attracted 570 people, while Dogbarked brought in 717 patrons.
Vilcu said there are a number of reasons to explain the drop in attendance. Some of it could be economic, because many people don’t have as much disposable income as they used to.
But timing might also be a factor.
“We’ve never done a main stage show in June, so with doing it at that time of year, you’re competing with graduations and year-end events,” said Vilcu. “Sports teams are doing their windups. But we did okay.”
Opening night for Fitz Happens was up against the Estevan Fair, and its closing night was the same night as Estevan’s Canada 150 celebrations.
“Both of the main stage shows were very good,” said Vilcu. “We have some amazing talent. Having Saskatchewan-based shows, I think people can identify with them. There’s always going to be the crowd that doesn’t like it, but you do what you can to please the majority of people, and do things the majority will enjoy.”
Vilcu said it was worth trying a June show for the first time, but after seeing the numbers for Fitz Happens, she doubts they will do it again.
“I think we’ll stick to July and August for our shows,” she said.
A Soldier’s War, which was a two-day show that ran in early July, drew a total of 134 people, and received rave reviews. Vilcu noted it drew more people than the theatre’s short-run production last year.
“It was an amazing show,” said Vilcu. “It’s something that really hits home with a lot of the people who have been through the war, but we had some younger people who didn’t really understand what they (the soldiers) went through.”
For those who have fought in a war, or who had family members or friends who fought or even passed away in combat, the show was particularly poignant, she said.
The theatre has received really good feedback for all three shows, she said.
One other special event that the theatre hosted was the Ladies Night in July at Rotary Hall. Vilcu said everyone who was there enjoyed it and had fun. Ninety-six people attended the show.
While the main stage shows are finished for the summer, the theatre still has several events remaining.
Saskatchewan Express will perform its Oh! Canada production on Aug. 10 at the Boundary Dam Beach Site. The concert is a joint venture of the park and the theatre.
Brad Johner and the Johner Boys will be performing at Frehlick Hall on Aug. 18. Vilcu said they’re a popular family group that people enjoy seeing.
Wildwood Fire, which depicts a concert for June Carter Cash and her mother, will be performed from Sept. 7 to 9.
“That’s another new thing,” said Vilcu. “We normally don’t do a show in September, but we have this opportunity.”
She expects Wildwood Fire will offer some music that will be familiar for spectators.
Also, the theatre’s children’s camps will wrap up on Friday when the Act 3 camp performs Game of Phones: The Canadian Edition, on Aug. 11 at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Frehlick Hall. The show was penned by Lampman’s Maureen Ulrich.
“It’s good for the kids to have an audience, and to perform for more than just their family,” said Vilcu. “Obviously the parents and grandparents will all be there, but it would be nice to have some audience members from the general public come down.”
She believes the performance is also a good opportunity for those wondering about theatre camp to see what the youths, ages 13 to 16, are capable of producing.
“They do everything from lights to their dancing and singing. They’re doing a lot,” said Vilcu.
The number of children registered for the theatre camp has remained stable from last year, and Vilcu would like to see that number grow.
Events such as the ladies night and the Johner concert serve as fundraisers for the theatre camp, so Vilcu said it’s important to support the benefits.
